The 2026 Civics Essay Contest is now CLOSED.
We invite you to bookmark this page and check back in January 2027 for the new essay prompt.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners!
1st place: Kenzie Cawthon
2nd place: Upasanaa Vijayakumar
3rd place: Ryan Lai
About the Annual FBA Essay Contest
Each year, the Federal Bar Association invites high school students to address current topics in civics. Scholarships are awarded for first, second, and third place in grades 9-12.
High school students enrolled in public, private, parochial and charter schools and home-schooled students of equivalent grade status in the United States and its Territories are eligible to enter the contest. High school students are those in grades 9-12.
Students are provided a detailed prompt with summaries of applicable court cases to consider. The maximum essay length is 1,000 words.
Email civics@fedbar.org with questions.